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DAVIES
,
HOWEL
(
c.
1716
-
1770
),
Methodist cleric
.

It is thought that he was born in
Monmouthshire
, but he is known to have had an uncle living at
Llanspyddid
, near
Brecon
. In
1737
he was a
schoolmaster
at
Talgarth
, where he was converted by
HowelHarris
(q.v.)
. Acting on the latter's advice he went to
Llanddowror
to study under
GriffithJones.
He was ordained
deacon
in
1739
and
priest
in
1740
. He served as
curate
under
GriffithJones
at
Llandilo Abercowin
, but in
1741
moved to
Llys-y-frân, Pembs.
, where, for a short time, he worked in a similar capacity. In
1744
he m.
CatherinePoyer
, a wealthy
heiress
, and went to live at
Parke
near
Whitland
. When she died he m.
ElizabethWhite
and went to live at her home at
Prendergast
. His only daughter,
Margaret
, m.
NathanielRowland
(q.v.)
, the
revivalist
's son.
HowelDavies
d.
13 Jan. 1770
at the age of 53 and was buried at
Prendergast
. He was connected with the
Methodists
from
1737
until his death and was a regular attendant at their association meetings. At one time he had preached all over
Wales
, but in his latter years he had confined his activities to
Pembrokeshire
. He made use of the ruinous chapels of ease in that county but was also responsible for the building of
Woodstock chapel
(near
Ambleston
) in
1755
and
Capel Newydd
(near
Boncath
) in
1763
. He was a persuasive evangelist.
RhysThomas
of
Carmarthen
published one of his sermons in
1762
under the title
Llais y Durtur
, etc., and another in
1768
under the title
Llais y Priodfab
, etc. Among the
Methodists
he was called, not without reason, the ‘
Apostle of Pembrokeshire
.’

Sources:

W. Williams
,
Marwnad ar y Parchedig Mr. H. Davies
chaplain i'r Wir Anrhydeddus Countess Walsingham yr hwn a
fu farw y 13, o Ionawr, 1770, yn 53 flwyddyn o'i oed = An
English elegy on the Rev. Mr. H. Davies chaplain to the
Right Hon. Countess of Walsingham who departed this life
January 13th, 1770 in the 53rd year of his age who was
likewise a pastor of four large Congregations in
Pembrokeshire
(Llandovery, 1770)
,
1770
;